by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

If we were ranking the things Manning likes to do the week before any game, let alone the biggest game, talking about his feelings would be at the very bottom.

As Manning is preparing for his first game in Indianapolis since being released by the Colts in March 2012, let's just say he'd rather talk about playing his younger brother, Eli, or give a monologue about the state of his surgically repaired neck or analyze the strength of his right arm.

For the 19 months he has been a member of the Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning has avoided and deflected nearly every opportunity to reflect on the 14 years he spent as an Indianapolis Colt.

In weekly press conferences and postgame comments, in private one-on-one interviews and national television spots, Manning rarely has referenced Indianapolis, almost never says the word Colts or mentions his former teammates by name, unless speaking in generalities about retired greats such as Marshall Faulk or Marvin Harrison.

Manning went through a painful breakup with the Colts, and he didn't want to look back. He doesn't want to reflect on his 14 years there, even the great times, and he especially hates being asked to make comparisons between his time in Indianapolis and his new football life in Denver.

After delaying his postgame press conference after Denver's last game - for a dip in the cold tub - Manning was testier about a series of questions about the Colts than he was about a sloppy offensive performance - including two bad snaps and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Manning is perfectly fine leaving the nostalgia to the folks in Indianapolis, even as the reality of the homecoming game - and the hype that goes with it - has forced Manning to address things he has tried so hard for nearly two years to avoid.

Feelings, so many questions about feelings, and Manning hated every moment of it.

And here's the one that really irked Manning: How do you feel about the Colts having success since you left?

"Well, I guess my focus is on the Broncos trying to be successful," Manning said. When the question was asked again, he said. "I agree. So, does that help your story?"

Manning's default setting is to talk football. This week, he was almost begging for questions about his battered offensive line, imploring someone, anyone, to ask him about how Denver's backup offensive tackles might be able to handle NFL sack leader Robert Mathis.

Meanwhile in practice and in meetings rooms, Broncos players haven't noticed any changes in their quarterback as he embarks on perhaps the most emotional week of his career. If Manning is stressing about facing the Colts, it hasn't showed in his maniacally obsessive preparation.

As Broncos players prepared for Thursday's practice, Manning chattered at receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker throughout, first using his hands to demonstrate elements of a pass route. While more than 50 others players stretched, Manning hopped to his feet, and jogged through the way he wanted to see the receivers do it.

"Peyton Manning is a great teammate," linebacker Von Miller said. "We're definitely pulling for him to go out there, but I think he said everything he had to say, and whatever he said, I'll back."